These are the 7 Keys to Fibroid Management

Our fibroid specialists in Dallas provide a minimally invasive fibroid treatment known as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). For the proper candidates, this procedure can relieve fibroid symptoms such as heavy bleeding. However, you don't have to live with pain while you take your time making treatment decisions. Instead, you can practice fibroid management with these simple lifestyle suggestions.

Fibroid Management and Prevention: 7 Things to Try Right Now

If you want to manage your fibroid symptoms; prevent existing tumors from getting larger; or lower your risk for future growth; try following these tips from our experts.

1.       Change your diet. Adding fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, apples, cabbage and brocolli may lower your fibroid risk. Or, if you already have fibroids, this diet could help reduce your symptom burden while reducing the likelihood that the tumors will grow larger.

2.       Manage blood pressure. Research reveals that there's a fibroid blood pressure connection; to reduce your tumor risk, keep your pressure in the healthy range by getting regular exercise and watching weight gain. In some cases, you may need medical support to lower your blood pressure level.

3.       Control stress. In some studies, evidence suggested that unchecked stress could increase your risk for fibroid development. As such, by managing stress levels through mindful activities including meditation and yoga, you could help reduce your fibroid risk.

4.       Have a scan. Additional research suggests that measuring the elasticity of uterine tissue via ultrasound elastography (USE) is a great way to predict future fibroid risk and speed up the time it takes to receive a fibroids diagnosis.

5.       Practice self-care. When fibroid pain is pressing, try and get comfortable: prop up your legs with a pillow or pull your knees to your chest, reducing the pressure on your back and pelvis.

6.       Start supplementing. By adding Vitamin D to your diet, you may be able to reduce your future risk for fibroids, according to multiple studies.

7. Reduce the use of plastic. This ScienceDirect study reveals that microplastic exposure increases the risk for fibroids and many other conditions. Unfortunately, some environmental microplastic exposure is unavoidable. But you can still minimize the plastics in your life by storing food in glass containers in your own home.

Fibroid Management: What to Avoid

Already got fibroids? Steer clear of:

1.       Processed and sugary foods, fatty dairy products, red-meat, alcohol and caffeine: they could all worsen your fibroid symptoms.

2.       Sedentary days. Skipping your workouts could worsen your symptoms, as studies suggest that getting exercise each week can lower your fibroid risk.

4.       Cigarettes. Smoking takes a toll on your overall health, but can be particularly impactful if you have fibroid or period pain, because the chemicals can limit the flow of oxygen to your pelvis.

Are you in need of further fibroid management support? Schedule a consultation today with our Dallas specialists, so we can explore your treatment options.